What You Need to Know About Getting Life Insurance After You’ve Had a Heart Attack?

It’s possible to get life insurance after a heart attack. However, not all life insurance companies and policies accept applicants who’ve experienced heart attacks, and some companies place restrictions on people who’ve experienced heart attacks.

For instance, the total coverage you can buy might include a cap. These restrictions vary, depending on the company.

After a heart attack, the policies you can qualify for and the cost of those policies will be affected by factors such as how long ago the heart attack occurred and your:

• overall health
• smoking status
• age

Many factors can lead to a heart attack and affect your chances of a second heart attack. These can include your:

• age
• weight
• smoking status
• overall health

Since this is the case, there are no general estimates for life expectancy. Research suggests that 20% of adults who experience their first heart attack after 45 years old will experience a second heart attack within 5 years, but this is not a measure of lifespan.

You’ll be asked for medical information when you apply for a life insurance policy. The exact question will depend on the company and the policy type, but you can expect the life insurance company to ask you:

• When did your heart attack occur?
• What treatment did you receive?
• What heart medications do you currently take?
• What heart condition diagnoses do you have?
• What’s your most recent blood pressure as recorded at a medical appointment?
• What are your most recent cholesterol and lipid test results?

The life insurance company will also want to know about your overall health. They’ll ask you for information such as:

• medications you take
• chronic conditions you have
• history of cancer, stroke, or addiction
• current or past history of smoking
• family history of cancer

You can also expect to answer questions about your:

• income
• job/employment history
• driving record
• criminal record
• general lifestyle

A heart attack doesn’t have to keep you from securing a life insurance policy. You can still purchase the coverage you need. It can help to shop carefully and follow tips such as:

1. Compare prices from multiple companies: It’s always best to look at prices from multiple companies before you apply. You can use online tools to see quotes from multiple companies at once. These quotes won’t be your final price, but they’ll give you a good idea of what to expect so that you can make the best choice.
2. Use an agent or broker: If you’re unsure how to find the best policy, consider life insurance. There’s no cost to you when you use a life insurance agent, and they can help you compare policies and find a great rate. Plus, they’ll have experience helping people who’ve had heart attacks secure policies.
3. Ask your doctor to note your progress: If you’ve made strides to improve your health since your heart attack, such as managing your weight and cholesterol, ask your doctor if they’re willing to make a medical note about it. Having this note in your file could help you secure a policy and could lower your rate.
4. Consider guaranteed acceptance policies: Companies can’t turn you down for a guaranteed acceptance policy. They’re a great choice if you’re unsure whether you’ll get the approval for a traditional policy.
5. Look into employer coverage: Employer life insurance coverage is typically much less than a policy you can buy on your own, but most plans offer guaranteed coverage. It’s a good idea to take advantage of this option, especially if your employer pays some or all of the premium.

You can learn more about secure life insurance after a heart attack by reading the answers to some common questions.

Do I need to take a medical exam to get life insurance?

No. Although medical exams were required as part of traditional life exams, today, many policies that don’t require medical exams are available. You can often apply for a policy online and receive an answer in just a few minutes.

How much life insurance coverage can I get after a heart attack?

The amount of life insurance you’ll purchase depends on various factors, including the company you choose, the type of policy you apply for, your income, overall health, and your age.

Can I get a life insurance policy if I have bad credit?

Life insurance companies will look at your finances. Many companies will pull a number called the insurance score. This differs from your credit score, and companies don’t weigh the items on it similarly. For instance, a bankruptcy within the past 5 years could make getting approved for some policies difficult, but a few missed credit card payments probably won’t affect a company’s decision.

You can purchase life insurance even after you’ve had a heart attack. Not every company and policy accepts people who’ve experienced heart attacks, but many still do. Individual factors such as your overall health, smoking status, and age will be large.

Guaranteed approval policies are a great choice if you can’t get approved for a traditional policy. Companies can’t turn you down for this type of policy, and they can help you get the coverage you need after a heart attack.